It would be a truly bleak winter for the homeless and marginalised in Moss Vale this year were it not for the efforts of volunteers like Grace Avery, inspired by the God who first gave to them.

Ms Avery says the Anglicare soup kitchen she serves in on the Southern Highlands is more than a warm place for soup and sympathetic company.

It is a place where Christians can put their faith into action.

"Jesus said as much as you do to the least of these you do to me and Anglicare allows people to care for the community in a safe environment," says Ms Avery.

"It gives people the opportunity to do what they would love to do."

For the past three years volunteers from Moss Vale, Bundanoon/Exeter, Robertson, Bowral and Mittagong parishes have provided food to Anglicare's Moss Vale soup kitchen during the cold winter months.

According to Debbie Magyar, Anglicare Moss Vale Emergency Relief Co-ordinator, support from local parishes and volunteers is vital.

"Homelessness is a big issue in Moss Vale during winter,” she explains.

“We have people sleeping under bridges in sub-zero temperatures and coming to our centre before it opens just to get out of the cold," says Debbie.

"Last year we served more than two and a half thousand cups of soup through our tea room and we would not be able to work here without the support of the parishes."

According to Grace Avery, working at Anglicare has also shown her daily examples of God's provision.

For one particular family escaping domestic violence from Sydney, donations of food to the soup kitchen were able to provide some dinner for the family that night.

"Half the time it's a sudden illness or injury that brings people here. You only need a small incident at a critical time to find yourself in need of help," she says.

"I've found that most who walk through our doors for the first time, find it very hard to do so. They put it off to the very last minute and only come to us when things are desperate.

"I've had some burst into tears when they realise they're no longer alone " that there are people who can help and encourage them out of their current situation."

But to be no longer needed is the best part of volunteering Ms Avery says.

"I was at the traffic lights the other week and heard someone shout my name. I turned around to see a woman we were helping. And she screamed "Grace! Grace! I've got a job! I won't be coming to see you any more!'  That was wonderful."

Last year Anglicare's emergency relief program assisted more than 20,000 families in Sydney, Wollongong and the Southern Highlands through generous community support.

Readers concerned to help a struggling family get back on their feet are encouraged to buy a food hamper or become a WinterCare Partner.

Proceeds will go to support Anglicare's emergency relief programs throughout the Sydney Diocese.

To donate to the work of Anglicare contact 13 26 22 or visit the Anglicare web site.